Engineering Manager

Salary: $181,854.65 - $227,317.39 Annually
Location : San Diego, CA
Job Type: Full-Time Regular
Job Number: 00329
Department: Engineering
Section: Design
Opening Date: 10/20/2026

General Duties
General Duties

Ideal Candidate

The ideal candidate will have a strong background managing the planning, design, and construction of water/wastewater facilities. Preferable experience will be in planning, design and environmental compliance.

The ideal candidate should also possess the following Personal Characteristics, Skill, and Experience: Professional and Highly Competent - Business, Customer and Results Oriented - An Experienced Manager - Critical/Strategic Thinker - Able to Consistently and Accurately Interpret Policies, Procedures, and Ordinances - Analytical - Possess Excellent Oral and Written Communication Skills - Honest and Ethical - Know and Understand Basic Business Finance and Accounting Principles - A Visionary and Leader - Well Organized - Flexible and Adaptable - A Team Player - Able to Work with Diverse Groups including the Public.

About the Position and Department

Under the general direction of the Chief of Engineering, plans, organizes, supervises, directs, manages, and coordinates programs and activities of assigned Sections of the Engineering Department which includes Water Resources, Planning, Design, and Environmental; and provides complex technical and administrative support to the Chief of Engineering.

The Engineering Department is responsible for the Planning, Budgeting, Design, Construction, and Inspection of all Otay Water District facilities as well as the administration of all developer and new customer construction and service applications. Projects include facilities for water, recycled water, sewer and support facilities, such as pipelines, reservoirs, pump stations, wells, ponds, and a treatment plant. The Engineering Department also manages an annual Capital Improvement Program (CIP) of approximately $18.9 million (2027). The Department has a staff of approximately 30 employees supplemented by the services of consultants.

Applications will be accepted until there are a sufficient number of highly qualified applicants from which to make a selection. However, for the earliest consideration, please submit your application materials by November 15, 2026. Interviews will be scheduled as soon as possible with top candidates. For information on the recruitment process, please go to the Employment section of our website www.otaywater.gov or click here

Examples of Duties

• Plans, manages and oversees the assigned services, functions and operations of several sections of the Engineering Department including Water Resources, Planning, Design, and Environmental.
• Responds to inquiries and resolves problems and complaints from customers and consultants.
• Administers the design and preparation of major capital projects utilizing consulting engineering firms or in-house staff; prepares costs estimates; reviews drawings and specifications for compliance with District standards; interprets specifications and District policies and initiates or reviews change orders.
• Represents the District in negotiations with consultants on fees and charges associated with design of new facilities; and reviews, evaluates, and reports on work prepared by consultants and administers consultant contracts, including approval of invoices.
• Supports Operations in the development, implementation and utilization of the District's Total Asset Management program to maximize efficacy, productivity, and functionality for rehabilitation and restoration of existing District infrastructure, as well as design and construction of new, rehabilitated and replacements of District infrastructure.
• Conducts a variety of organizational studies, investigations, and operational studies.
• Participates on a variety of Boards and Commissions. Attends and participates in professional group meetings.
• Participates in continuous improvement. Develops standards, guidelines, and productivity indicators and documents processes of the like.
• Plans, directs, reviews and evaluates the work of supervisory, professional, technical, and support staff assigned to perform functions of the section. Meets with staff to identify and resolve problems. Trains, counsels, and coaches staff, identifies and recommends opportunities for improvement and provides appropriate recognition for superior performance.
• Participates in the development of and directs and monitors the implementation of section and department goals, objectives and measures to include the District's Strategic Plan and Performance Measures.
• Advises the Department Chief and other senior staff on relevant issues.
• Plans, develops and administers the department's annual and multi-year operating and capital budgets. Monitors revenues and expenditures for assigned sections and recommends or makes appropriate budget adjustments.
• Prepares executive level reports, presentations, summaries and correspondence. Participates in Committee and Board meetings.
• Develops, trains, models, and enforces safe work procedures and practices for the sections and Department.

For the complete job description go to the Employment section of our website www.otaywater.gov or click here

Required Licenses and/or Certifications

• A valid California Driver's License and a safe driving record.
• Professional Civil Engineering registration in any State and a Professional Civil Engineering registration in the State of California within one (1) year of appointment.

Minimum Experience, Education, and Training Requirements
Experience:

Seven (7) years of professional experience in planning, design, construction, and construction management for a water, wastewater, and/or reclaimed water facility, including four (4) years of experience managing consultants or two (2) years of related supervisory experience.

Education:

• Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering or a closely related field.
• Master's degree desirable.

This position is exempt from overtime.
Otay Water District is a Smoking, Tobacco and Nicotine Free Campus.
All Otay Water District employees are at-will pursuant to California Water Code, Section 71362.
Notice: Benefits listed below assume full-time regular status. These benefits do not apply to temporary appointments.

Scheduled salary increases include the following:

• July 1, 2024: 6% Cost-of-Living Adjustment
• July 14, 2025: 5% Cost-of-Living Adjustment
• July 13, 2026: 5% Cost-of-Living Adjustment
• Annual Merit Increases: Eligible employees are eligible for 3% merit increase on an annual basis until they reach the top of their salary range, based on meeting expectations on their performance review.

Vacation: 12 days/year, increasing to a max of 23 days/year.

Sick Leave: 8 days/year, increasing to max of 15 days/year.

Management Leave: 6 days/year.

Paid Holidays: 14 days/year, including employee's birthday and two floating holidays.

Alternative Work Schedule: A 9/80 work schedule may be available based on the needs of the department. Upon approval, employees would work 80 hours over 9 days and enjoy one day off every two weeks.

PERS Retirement: The District contracts with the California Public Employees' Retirement System (CalPERS). CalPERS is a defined benefit retirement plan that includes a lifetime benefit determined by a set formula (years of service, age at retirement, and final compensation). Employees hired after January 1, 2013, are subject to the Public Employees' Pension Reform Act (PEPRA).

Employee Contributions:
New Member (hired on or after 1/1/13 who are new CalPERS members or do not have reciprocity with CalPERS):

• Are enrolled in the 2% at age 62 formula based on the employee's 36 months of highest average annual compensation to a maximum of the annual compensation limit set by CalPERS.
  • • District and employees share the normal employee CalPERS service contribution cost. Employees contribute 7.5% of salary toward the employee CalPERS service contribution cost up to the annual compensation limit set by CalPERS.

Classic Member (hired before January 1, 2013, or who have reciprocity with CalPERS):

• Are enrolled in the 2.7% at age 55 formula based on the employee's single highest year annual compensation.
• Employees contribute 8% of salary towards the employee PERS service contribution cost.

The District is also a Social Security participant and the District and employee make contributions.

Deferred Compensation Retirement Plan (457 Plan): Optional plan designed to provide employees with additional retirement income. Employees may elect to contribute a portion of their income on a pre-tax or post-tax basis through payroll deductions. Employee contributions for the Deferred Compensation Plan will be matched dollar per dollar up to the maximum amount of $3,000 per calendar year.

Medical/Rx Insurance: Choice of PPO, EPO, HMO or Kaiser HMO plans, 100% premium paid by District for employee and 88% for dependent(s).

Dental Insurance: 100% premium paid by District for employee and 88% paid for dependent(s).

Vision: 100% premium paid by District for employee and 0% for dependent(s).

Flexible Benefits Plan: The District offers a healthcare and dependent care flexible benefits plan. The healthcare account reimburses the employee on a pre-tax basis for medical, pharmacy, dental and other related expenses not covered by the insurance plans. The dependent care account allows employees to pay for employment-related dependent care expenses on a pre-tax basis.

Group Term Life & Accidental Death and Dismemberment Insurance: 100% premium paid by the District for employee and eligible dependent(s). The Life and AD&D insurance coverage for the employee is two times their annual salary and eligible dependents have Life insurance coverage of $1,000.

Voluntary Life Insurance: Employees may elect to cover themselves and eligible dependents for voluntary life insurance. The full cost of this insurance is paid by the employee via payroll deductions.

Short-Term and Long-Term Disability Insurance: The District provides short-term and long-term disability insurance equal to 66 2/3% of your income after a 30-day elimination period (90-day elimination period for long term disability) if totally disabled due to illness or injury.

Professional development, seminars, and conferences: The District offers these opportunities to help facilitate an employee's professional growth.

Education Reimbursement Program: Employees are eligible to receive reimbursement for District approved courses not to exceed $3,000 per fiscal year.

Employee Assistance Program: Provides confidential referrals and counseling concerning personal, family, or work-related issues for employees and their dependents.

Free Onsite Workout Facility: The District has a fully equipped exercise room for employees to use before work, after work or during lunchtime.

Yoga Classes: On-site Yoga classes are offered during the lunch hour at the employee's expense.

Retirement Benefits:
Health Reimbursement Arrangement (HRA) effective September 1, 2024: A Health Reimbursement Arrangement is an interest-bearing, employer-funded account created in your name to reimburse you tax-free in retirement for eligible medical expenses and premiums. Otay Water District makes deposits of employer contributions and mandatory employee contributions while you are employed, but you will not be able to access funds until retirement or separation of service, having met Otay Water District's vesting requirements.

Tier II Eligibility for All Full-time Regular Employees Hired On or After September 1, 2024:
All full-time, regular employees hired on or after September 1, 2024, will participate in a mandatory HRA Plan. The District and the employee will make contributions to the HRA Plan.

The District will contribute $4,000 annually to the employee's HRA from their latest date of hire until they retire or terminate from the District for a maximum period of twenty (20) years. The employee will contribute $1,000.00 annually (or $40 per pay period for the first twenty-five (25) pay periods of the calendar year) to their HRA from their latest date of hire until they retire or terminate from the District. There is a vesting schedule for this Plan as set forth in the Memorandum of Understanding between the Otay Water District Employees Association, effective July 1, 2024 through June 30, 2027.
01

Please identify your highest level of college education COMPLETED. If you do not have a Bachelor's Degree of higher, please do not apply as you do not qualify.

• None.
• Coursework in Civil Engineering.
• Bachelor's Degree in Civil Engineering.
• Bachelor's and Master's Degree in Civil Engineering.
• Degree in a related field or another field.

02

If your Degree(s) are in a related field or another field, please identify the degree and how it relates. If not applicable, please type N/A.
03

Do you have a valid (unexpired) State of California Professional Civil Engineer